2010 Autumn Horses in Training Sale Day 3 Press Release

The Group 2 Railway Stakes winner FORMOSINA proved the star turn on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, selling for 320,000 guineas on a day when 249 lots were sold for 5,878,800 guineas, at an average of 23,705 guineas and a median of 11,000 guineas.

The top priced lot on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was the Group 2 Railway Stakes winner FORMOSINA who realised 320,000 guineas to the bid of Saudi Arabian trainer Naif Alatawi. Consigned from Jeremy Noseda’s Shalfleet Stables, the two-year-old colt rated 110 by ‘Timeform’ was knocked down to Alatawi despite persistent opposition that included the Stobart Group CEO Andrew Tinkler.

The son of FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND was second to TEMPLE MEADS in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes two starts back before finishing third in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy on his most recent start.

"The horse had been bought for Prince Sultan Mohammed Saud Al Kabeer," said Alatawi, who also bought the highest priced filly of the sale so far, ELECTRIC WAVES.

"FORMOSINA will go to Saudi with the filly and then be aimed at the Dubai Festival."

ROCK N ROLL RANSOM, the RED RANSOM colt consigned by Luca Cumani’s Bedford House Stables, is bred to be a superstar, being out of the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera winner ZEE ZEE TOP and from the classic Meon Valley family of REPROCOLOR, and a ‘Timeform’ rating of 107p following three victories from only six starts saw plenty of interested parties. Agent Alastair Donald, stood with Cumani’s former assistant Ed Walker made much of the running, along with Anthony Stroud, stood alongside David Loder. As the price passed 200,000 guineas the pair were joined by National Hunt trainer Donald McCain who made a valiant attempt to secure the three-year-old but fell short when Stroud bid 240,000 guineas.

The son of RED RANSOM has only run six times, but he has won three of those starts, including a classified stakes at Ascot. Last time out he finished a half-length second to the 100-rated KINGS DESTINY over 1m2f at Ascot. The Racing Post review wrote after that performance that ROCK N ROLL RANSOM "looks the sort to make up into a cracking four-year-old".

There was plenty of competition for MOUNT ATHOS, the three-time winning son of MONTJEU who carried a ‘Timeform’ rating of 100 into the sale for trainer John Hills. Agents Bobby O'Ryan, Margaret O'Toole and Alastair Donald all made a play for the three-year-old colt, but it was Stephen Hillen who proved successful with his bid of 190,000gns. Hill indicated that the colt had been bought for owner Dr Marwan Koukash and will be going into training in Ireland with David Wachman.

"This was my pick of the sale," said Hillen. "He looks a very progressive type, with a lot of improvement in him and although he drifted on his second last start in the Mallard Stakes, he was not too bad and not unlike a MONTJEU. They just need holding on for a little bit longer.

"A run in the Chester Cup would be a first target, but I would hope he will develop into a Cup horse."

Hillen, who bought subsequent money-spinner and Ayr Gold Cup winner REDFORD for Koukash at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale last year, felt his judgement regarding MOUNT ATHOS was vindicated on hearing that Alastair Donald was the underbidder. "That's good news as he's a very good judge," smiled Hillen.

Australasian buyers have been playing an increasingly significant role at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, seeking Melbourne Cup prospects and buoyed by the weakness of Sterling. New Zealand agent Guy Mulcaster has been very active all week, buying on behalf of Rosehill-based trainer Chris Waller, and he secured the AZAMOUR colt CONTRACT CATERER for 180,000 guineas. Competition came from National Hunt trainer Donald McCain and dual-purpose trainer John Quinn but neither could match Mulcaster for the Andrew Balding trained inmate who is rated 102 by ‘Timeform’. Waller, who is currently second in the NSW Trainers’ Premiership behind Gai Waterhouse, has purchased a total nine lots at this year’s sale for a total of 785,000 guineas.